Care Chemist launches 4.2 card campaign to cut Kiwi blood pressure

Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched a wallet card campaign to cut the country’s high blood pressure levels and help save the 16 people who die from heart disease every day.

Nicolette McDonald, Care Chemist CEO, says the new initiative was sparked by research showing that raising awareness about current and target blood pressure levels using a wallet information card was one of the most effective ways of helping large groups of people with high blood pressure improve their health1.

She explains: `Someone dies from heart disease every 90 minutes in New Zealand. The blood pressure wallet card has been hailed overseas as one of the most beneficial patient education interventions because it gives the patient control over their own chronic illness. We know it is important for patients to be actively involved with their healthcare team to improve the quality of their care and get their blood pressure to goal. Community pharmacists, as the most frequently seen health care professional, are ideally placed to work in partnership with their patients. Researchers have found that you can produce a 4.2 per cent improvement, which sounds modest but over the whole population is a major benefit in preventing stroke, heart attacks and congestive heart failure.’

The 4.2 card campaign, being carried by all 24 Care Chemist pharmacies across the country, will encourage New Zealanders to reduce their chances of developing heart disease by pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

Care Chemist will be providing all customers with a free wallet card, to keep track of current and target blood pressure levels and to remind them how to choose a healthy lifestyle.

‘Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in New Zealand,’ explains Nicolette. `Our aim is to help the New Zealand public realise that heart problems are avoidable and that prevention is key. A few small steps can produce huge results when it comes to keeping high blood pressure under control. For example, cutting out smoking, following a healthier diet and doing more exercise will go a long way towards keeping cardiovascular disasters, such as heart attacks and strokes at bay.’

In addition to the wallet card, Care Chemist pharmacies will be distributing a series of educational guides. These will include details on how to ascertain whether you are at risk of a heart attack/stroke, as well as information on blood pressure, cholesterol, weight management, physical activity, smoking and heart healthy eating. Selected pharmacies will also be offering free blood pressure check-ups throughout March.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

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About the Life Pharmacy/Pharmacy Brands group:

The newly merged company is New Zealand’s only listed retail pharmacy group and comprises the Unichem, Amcal, Life Pharmacy and Care Chemist brands which are located throughout the country. In total the company represents 257 retail outlets including 129 Unichem pharmacies, 75 Amcal pharmacies, 27 Life pharmacies, two Life outlet stores and 24 Care Chemist pharmacies. It has an ownership interest in 29 Associate pharmacy companies and one 50/50 joint venture operation. In the second half of this year the company will change the name of the combined entity from Life Pharmacy Limited to Pharmacybrands Limited, to better reflect the multiple brands it owns and operates.